Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Greyhound is a beautiful creature. As a breed, they're perfect examples of the premise that "form follows function." There are different sizes and coat colors and about a million different permutations of ear and tail configurations. Don't forget about those endearing personalities - each one unique and endearing.

Physically, though, not much about the physique of the Greyhound has changed in the last centuries. Every inch of the Greyhound is specifically designed for speed. Narrow skull, long neck, strong back, lean legs - all supported by extraordinary musculature.

So when you find a variation in the Greyhound, hound-lovers gather around to see. One such variation is the Roman Nose. According to one source a Roman Nose is one "a nose with a prominent slightly aquiline bridge." Another source says, "a nose whose bridge is comparatively high, forming a slightly convex line from forehead to the tip of the nose."

Uma Thurman has a Roman Nose.

This guy has one.

This horse has one.

And these greyhound girls have Roman Noses, too. That's Lady Athena in the red hat and Paris with the pink "bling" collar. I was so excited to get these photos!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

When we brought Truly home from the adoption kennel, he was very clear - he was retired. He hated being crated and he never ran.

Then we went to the 2009 Greyfest in October. As I described in my earlier Greyfest post, when the "Blur of Fur" began and the squawkers sounded, both Truly and Maggie became maniacs. In case you don't know, "Blur of Fur" works like this: The hounds are held on one end of a straight track. At the other end, someone sounds a squawker (squirrel call) and swings a fleece toy hanging from the end of a pole. The hounds are released, one by one. As they run the track toward the squawker and toy, their speed is determined by a radar gun.

Last year, we were stunned by Truly's and Maggie's behavior when they heard the squawker. They lurched, squirmed and barked and did everything they could do to get away from us and to the fleece toy. It was clear that the sound was the stimulus they needed to run.

This year, we bought our "Blur of Fur" tickets early so Truly and Maggie could be at the front of the line. The plan was to let them run and then leave the area to prevent them from getting so "worked up." Truly was number four and Maggie was number five. Tim took them to the start line and I went to the finish line to wait for them with their leashes. As hound number three, Titus, made it half-way to the finish line, I saw a blur behind him. I took a second look. It was a hound pounding down the track behind Titus. That hound really looked like Truly. OMG! That hound is Truly! I see Tim at the end of the track trying to hold on to Maggie.

Truly reaches my end of the track and he's behaving like a nut! He slipped his martingale collar to get away from Tim. He's snorting and prancing and lunging at the fleece toy. All of us are trying to grab him and he's having fun evading us! And he knows he's evading us.

Then, he's caught. I'm holding him by his regular collar and waiting for Maggie. The squawker sounds for Maggie and here she comes. And there goes Truly, again! He's slipped his regular collar and he's chasing the fleece toy. Now, he has no collar at all. I could just see him jumping a fence with no identification. With the help of about four people, I finally manage to get Truly back and put his collar on.

I grab Maggie from another friendly person and hurry off the field.

Truly brought the entire "Blur of Fur" to a halt with his antics, but I was so glad to have him back.

We like "Blur of Fur," but considering the effect it has on Truly, we may take a leisurely walk in the other direction next year - that is, if we get invited back!

P.S. - I have previously indicated that little Maggie might not have been a good racer because she gets distracted. It is only fitting to note that Maggie was clocked at an amazing 41 miles per hour Saturday! No distraction this time. Way to go, Maggie, but remember - you only run for fun now!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

We woke up early this morning to go to SEGC's Greyfest. We've been looking forward to this for a long time. The drive was nice and after about an hour and a half, we arrived at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers. The park was built to accommodate the equestrian events of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. In addition to Greyfest today, the park hosted the Georgia Quarter Horse Association Pro Am.

The white horseis Zippy.

Beautiful!

Blessing of the hounds.

Rainbow BridgeMemorials.

Good crowd!

Wazzamada, Sawyer?

The Brindle Kidsare tired.

Sweet girl.

Hula Lady.

Greyfest '09Queen.

Greyfest '10King and Queen.

There's Mr. Deeds!

Truly and Maggieget ready totake their turn at"Blur of Fur."

The "Blur of Fur," and Truly's behavior in it, is a story in itself. For now, let me just say that we're hoping we're not banned for life from Greyfest! More later.
I'll leave this post with the tranquil image of a Canadian Goose and her goslings traveling on the side of the road. We saw them as we were headed home and just had to get a photo.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A couple of Saturdays ago, we spent a beautiful afternoon at Central City Park for "Paws for the Cause." Paws for the Cause features all things for animal lovers - vendors, agility training demos, obedience 101, micro-chipping, and on-site pet adoption.
The Brindle Kids knew where we were going and they waited for us by the front door:

They're ready to go!

Maggie agreedto try theagility course.

She went throughthe tunnel.

She didn't wantto jump on theplatform.

She really didn'twant to walk up the ramp either - but she did.

I don't think sheunderstood the ring at all.

I KNOW shedidn'tunderstand this.

She did it anyway.Peanut butter is apowerful motivatingfactor.

She did the poles, too -

and she and Trulygot pedicures.

Lisa, Truly and Maggiewith "Petals" the eventmascot.

Lisa is a beautiful and sweet black girl looking for her forever home. She's lucky to have Jackie of Greyhounds Galore on her side. Jackie's an unsung hero of greyhound adoption in our area who has worked tirelessly to find good homes for countless greyhounds. Thank you, Jackie!

Monday, April 12, 2010

We're fortunate to have a growing neighborhood association and a local government interested in promoting life in the historic district. The College Hill Corridor Commission "seeks to improve safety, walkability, aesthetics, and community within the Corridor by supporting local businesses; redesigning and improving parks and sidewalks; and creatively programming the Corridor's features. The Corridor is the main thoroughfare between Macon's only urban collegiate campus and downtown. It also is the path connecting many of Macon's oldest and most diverse intown neighborhoods" as described by the CHC website.

Sunday afternoon was the best event ever - we had good old-fashined Soap Box Derby!

Brunch, a bandand sunshine -what more couldwe ask?

I've lived here foreverand I've never seen this many folks in thepark.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

This was a busy weekend! Saturday we took the Brindle Kids to the Warner Robins Tractor Supply for a BIG Pet Rescue Day event. I have to give a fond "shout out" to Tractor Supply because they were very kind to all of us with pets in-tow. We were in and out of the store all day visiting the drink machines, water fountains and restrooms.
I had no idea of the variety of "pets" that would be on-site. Neither did Truly and Maggie. Truly was a little "anxious" (not scared, mind you) of some of the animals he had not seen before:

Well, those are all the photos I can post because after this picture, my camera battery died. But there was a lot more to see and a bunch of good opportunities to promote greyhound adoption through Greyhounds Galore. A perfect day!